The Collegiate Current - Moving Our Community Closer
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The Collegiate Current Moving Our Community Closer
May–June 2o21
From the Principal’s Desk
Have a happy and healthy summer!
Anthony Boyer
Principal
This Month’s Events
May 21: Summer Break begins
Looking Forward
August 9: 2021-2022 School Year begins
Reminders
Books—Information about summer reading assignments will be emailed soon!
Supplies—You can expect to see supply lists sent home shortly as well.
Book of the Month
Mrs. Strunc, our incredible Reading Across the Genres and College Success
instructor, recommends Underestimated: An Autism Miracle by J.B. Handley and
Jamison Handley for this month’s choice book.
About her recommendation, Mrs. Strunc reflects, “Underestimated: An Autism
Miracle by J.B. Handley and Jamison Handley reads like an Alex Cross detective
mystery with a touch of John Green thrown in the mix. It is the inspiring story of a
nonverbal autistic young man who at seventeen emerges from his self-described
Book of
‘prison of the Month
silence’ when he discovers a systematic, structured approach of communication that
allows him to demonstrate how intelligent, magnanimous, and truly underestimated he is. With the
guidance of a trained professional, his remarkable transformation from a nonverbal autistic teenager
trapped in his private prison of silence challenges the accepted ideas often linked to autism. The
author allows the reader to follow the family on their inspiring journey to communicate with their
son. It is an amazing story which reminds the reader of the incredible power of hope and love
when combined with resilience and tenacity. The young man’s journey creates an awareness of the
possibility that individuals with nonverbal autism are much more complex than their label indicates.
May–Jun 2o21 | Page 1
It gives a much needed voice to the many nonverbal autistic Jamisons in the world who desperately
want to break through the silent prison of their lives. This book may be one of the most emotional,
yet gratifying books that I have read in a life time of reading. It is a true story of hope for humanity.
Read this book. Tissues recommended!”
Faculty & Staff Spotlight
Mrs. De Cook joined the Collegiate family as our math instructor in 2000. She
has worked at Collegiate since it opened, so she has invested in our school
and students for 21 years. She’s one of the few math teachers who will assign
a memoir for her students to read, and anyone who takes her class walks
away with even more than great math knowledge. To help us all get to know
her a little more about her, Mrs. Cook has answered a few questions below.
Question: What inspired you to become a teacher?
Answer: I have always wanted to be a teacher. I think it began because then I could boss my siblings
around. I also had several truly wonderful math teachers in high school, so it has always been a really
positive circle for me.
Question: What is your favorite thing about math?
Answer: There’s always a right answer, and the rules don’t change. No interpretation needed.
Question: What have you learned from your time at Collegiate?
Answer: I’ve learned to be flexible. Our school is a living organism in so many ways. We need to
always be ready to change for the better and to better serve our students.
Question: What is one piece of wisdom you would like every student to leave your classroom
knowing?
Answer: I want my students to know that they possess all that they need to be successful. That they
have chosen to come to Collegiate and be challenged tells me that they are ready to face whatever
may be out there for them. I’m proud of them!
Question: How do you like to spend your free time?
Answer: I love to play with my grandchildren and to quilt. I didn’t realize what a true joy
grandmotherhood can be—
all the fun and very little of
the responsibility of these
wonderful children! My
quilting is my creative outlet,
and I enjoy sharing with
children who don’t have a
grandma to love on them. Mrs. Cook bakes with her
grandchildren and creates and
displays her beautiful quilts.
May–Jun 2o21 | Page 2
Question: What is on your bucket list for this summer?
Answer: I really, really want to get out to California to see my 98-year-old mother-in-law. And
to spend more time out on our boat this summer. We live in paradise—I want to be out in it this
summer!
Student Spotlight
First, we want to honor all of our students and their dedication and perseverance throughout this
school year! We also congratulate all of our seniors on their graduation and celebrate their hard
work and determination in getting to where they are now. We know you will all do great things!
Congratulations, Class of 2021!
Next, here is last month’s Student Spotlight question: “What is one thing on your 2021 summer
bucket list?”
Now, here are a few student answers:
Hunter Bedner said, “Become shredded.”
Aiden Black said, “Go to the beach.”
Isabelle Hanson said, “One thing on my summer 2021 bucket list is to start my major in Clinical
Psychology at UCF.”
Gabrielle Higgins said, “To finally hang out with all my friends in person.”
Gavin Mattern, “Finishing my AA.”
Kayden Peets said, “If everything with Covid is calm, then I plan on traveling to Spain to meet
family I’ve never met before.”
Tate Stephens said, “I want to finish reading The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.”
For the next newsletter, we invite all students to submit their answers to the following question:
“What made your summer remarkable?”
Students should submit their answers at this link: https://forms.gle/UZgyMzdswtwCMohT8. Student
responses will be chosen for our next Student Spotlight!
Volunteer Opportunities
The following opportunities have been offered to Collegiate students and could be counted toward
May–Jun 2o21 | Page 3
Bright Futures requirements. Spots may be limited.
The NWFSC Kids on Campus program is seeking volunteers. For more information, go to www.
nwfsc.edu/koc, and scroll to the “Volunteer Opportunities” section. Students can fill out the online
application and will receive notification no later than June 15th if they’re selected.
GenU Academy in Niceville has opportunities for students to volunteer with young children, with
COVID-19 guidelines in place. Schedules can be accommodated between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Please call Tawanda K. Brown at 850-678-7133 for more information.
The Baker Area Recreational Association has opportunities for students to help setup for events and
possibly clean up before and after events. If you are interested, please contact Ben Smith at 850-
682-3133.
Questions?
If you have any questions about what’s featured in this newsletter, or if we can otherwise help, please
feel free to call us at 850-729-4949!
May–Jun 2o21 | Page 4
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